Following the outbreak of Dihtheria disease that has claimed a student life at kings collage Lagos, the Principal of the College, Mogaji Zakaria, says the school has put measures in place to curb the spread and contraction of the diseases. It was learned that a death of a Junior Secondary School student was recorded following the disease outbreak in the school; this is as other students of other popular Nigerian government-owned school suffered similar incident where scores of students were hospitalized.
Reacting to the outbreak, the Lagos State Government has since declared the disease as an emergency in the school and has commenced vaccination of all the students and staff.
This was revealed by Mr Zakaria who spoke yesterday during the diphtheria vaccination at the college’s Annex in Lagos Island on Tuesday.
The vaccination was sponsored by the school in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board through Eti-Osa Local Government.
Prevention Efforts
The principal said that hand sanitisers and running tap water with soap have been designated at strategic locations across the school premises, to enable students to constantly wash their hands.
Just like the popular COVID-19 emergency, the principal added that wearing a nose mask is now being enforced as a compulsory measure for everyone within the college premises to comply with.
He said, “There have been improved efforts toward sanitation and cleanliness within the college premises.
“Presently, wearing of nose mask has been made compulsory for everyone within the college, as all students, including the teachers and the management staff now wear it as part of the measures to prevent contraction of the diphtheria infection,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Zakaria has applauded the Lagos State Government for its quick response following the outbreak of the disease.
He explained that the government in a swift action gave directive for the affected students to be moved to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where they are currently receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, the students who were admitted at LUTH had been receiving treatment, and their condition had since been stabilised.
The Lagos state government had confirmed 14 cases of diphtheria at the Kings College Annex, Victoria Island, with one fatality recorded.
The state’s health commissioner, Akin Abayomi, said 12 of the infected students are responding well to antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin therapy.
He said, “We have provided diphtheria-tetanus vaccines and are ensuring that all students and staff members get vaccinated. This includes teachers, cooks, cleaners, and other personnel”.
The school’s principal has yesterday assured parent and general public that with the efforts of the state government, the situation had been brought under control while activities have normalised in the college.
“I want to deeply appreciate the state government and its team of medical experts, for their quick response when we had the diphtheria outbreak, especially when we had the surge on Saturday.
“Specifically, I must mention Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education.
“When we called him, he quickly put calls through, and within 20 minutes, we were called and told to take the affected students to LUTH, where they were treated.
“So, we are happy for the interventions and we can now rest, knowing that our students are in safe hands,” Mr Zakaria said.
Also speaking, Elijah Wisdom, the college’s Head Boy (Junior arm), reiterated views of the PKC, saying that there were obviously improved sanitation measures within the college.
Wisdom appreciated the school management and the state government for their timely interventions, calling for sustenance in the activated preventive measures, going forward.
“Let the school management intensify efforts to sustain the preventive measures that have been put in place.
“I pray that the wash-hand stations, power supply, regular water supply and the overall cleanliness that are currently being provided come to stay,” he said.
